Electronic device with solid state switch monitoring

ABSTRACT

A solid state switch (SSS) monitoring system of an electronic device includes a SSS sensing component that is electrically coupled to a solid state switch. The SSS sensing component generates a switch state signal to indicate a corresponding one of an actuated and an unactuated state of the solid state switch. A controller is communicatively coupled to the SSS sensing component. The controller restarts the SSS sensing component in response to determining that the SSS sensing component is in an inoperative state.

PRIORITY APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/452,053, filed Jun. 25, 2019, the content of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to electronic devices havinguser input controls and in particular to electronic devices that usesolid state user input keys.

2. Description of the Related Art

Electronic devices generally have user control keys or buttons toprovide basic activation and mode settings, such as power, volume, etc.Mechanical actuation of a key causes a circuit to open or close,signaling a change of state. Analog or digital components respond to thechange of state due to the mechanical actuation. Although simple toimplement, the mechanical actuation is associated with reliabilitylimitations. A frequently-used key will eventually fail with repeateduse. Solid state keys rely on a change in electrical characteristic suchas resistance, capacitance or inductance based on user actuation.Sensing integrated circuits (ICs) detect changes in the electricalcharacteristic of the solid state switch to generate a correspondinginput state. By eliminating moving parts, solid state keys can haveincreased reliability over mechanically actuated keys.

Power keys are an example of a user control key that receives frequentuse and whose reliability is essential for the operational use of anelectronic device. Often such keys are required to be used when acontrolled component may be in an unpowered, inactivated state. Errorsthat may occur in the sensing IC can leave the electronic deviceinoperable without a way to power up a processor or other essentialcomponent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description of the illustrative embodiments can be read inconjunction with the accompanying figures. It will be appreciated thatfor simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements illustrated in thefigures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, thedimensions of some of the elements are exaggerated relative to otherelements. Embodiments incorporating teachings of the present disclosureare shown and described with respect to the figures presented herein, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a mobile electronicdevice having a solid state switch (SSS) monitoring system, according toone or more embodiments;

FIG. 2 depicts a functional block diagram of an example electronicdevice having an SSS monitoring system that ensures reliable activationfrom low power operation, according to one or more embodiments;

FIG. 3 depicts a flow diagram of a method for sensing an actuation stateof a solid state switch by an electronic device, according to one ormore embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method for correcting an inoperative stateof an SSS sensing component to restore operation of the solid stateswitch, according to one or more embodiments; and

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a distributed method for solid state switchsensing with supervisory control to mitigate an inoperative state,according to one or more embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to aspects of the present innovation, a solid state switch(SSS) monitoring system of an electronic device and a method areprovided to enable reliable use of solid state switches. Solid stateswitches often inherently do not mechanically wear out as quickly asmechanical switches and are not affected by external factors like HallEffect sensors. However, active sensing has to also be reliable.

According to one aspect, an SSS sensing component is coupled to a solidstate switch. The SSS sensing component polls a solid state switch suchas a power key when other functional components of the electronic deviceare powered down or in low power inactive state. The SSS sensingcomponent periodically generates a clocked pulse that polls the solidstate switch. The SSS sensing component determines whether an electricalcharacteristic of an output of the solid state switch indicates that thesolid state switch is actuated. The SSS sensing component generates aswitch state signal to indicate a corresponding one of an actuated andan unactuated state of the solid state switch. To mitigate instances inwhich the SSS sensing component becomes inoperative due to a fault thatprevents polling the solid state switch, a supervisory controller(“controller”) is communicatively coupled to the SSS sensing component.The controller restarts the SSS sensing component in response todetermining that the SSS sensing component is in an inoperative state.

In the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of thedisclosure, specific exemplary embodiments in which the various aspectsof the disclosure may be practiced are described in sufficient detail toenable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is tobe understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical,architectural, programmatic, mechanical, electrical and other changesmay be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the presentdisclosure. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to betaken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present disclosure isdefined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof. Within thedescriptions of the different views of the figures, similar elements areprovided similar names and reference numerals as those of the previousfigure(s). The specific numerals assigned to the elements are providedsolely to aid in the description and are not meant to imply anylimitations (structural or functional or otherwise) on the describedembodiment. It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity ofillustration, elements illustrated in the figures have not necessarilybeen drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elementsare exaggerated relative to other elements.

It is understood that the use of specific component, device and/orparameter names, such as those of the executing utility, logic, and/orfirmware described herein, are for example only and not meant to implyany limitations on the described embodiments. The embodiments may thusbe described with different nomenclature and/or terminology utilized todescribe the components, devices, parameters, methods and/or functionsherein, without limitation. References to any specific protocol orproprietary name in describing one or more elements, features orconcepts of the embodiments are provided solely as examples of oneimplementation, and such references do not limit the extension of theclaimed embodiments to embodiments in which different element, feature,protocol, or concept names are utilized. Thus, each term utilized hereinis to be given its broadest interpretation given the context in whichthat term is utilized.

As further described below, implementation of the functional features ofthe disclosure described herein is provided within processing devicesand/or structures and can involve use of a combination of hardware,firmware, as well as several software-level constructs (e.g., programcode and/or program instructions and/or pseudo-code) that execute toprovide a specific utility for the device or a specific functionallogic. The presented figures illustrate both hardware components andsoftware and/or logic components.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the hardwarecomponents and basic configurations depicted in the figures may vary.The illustrative components are not intended to be exhaustive, butrather are representative to highlight essential components that areutilized to implement aspects of the described embodiments. For example,other devices/components may be used in addition to or in place of thehardware and/or firmware depicted. The depicted example is not meant toimply architectural or other limitations with respect to the presentlydescribed embodiments and/or the general invention.

The description of the illustrative embodiments can be read inconjunction with the accompanying figures. Embodiments incorporatingteachings of the present disclosure are shown and described with respectto the figures presented herein.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating example mobileelectronic device 100 having a solid state switch monitoring system 101of one or more solid state switches. In one or more embodiments, thesolid state switch is a selected one of: (i) a capacitive switch; (ii) aresistive switch; (iii) an inductive switch; and (iv) a piezoresistiveswitch. In a particular embodiment, the solid state switch is a powerswitch, depicted as power key 102 a and volume key 102 b, which can beactively monitored when other functional components of mobile electronicdevice 100 are inactive.

Mobile electronic device 100 can be one of a host of different types ofdevices, including but not limited to, a mobile cellular phone,satellite phone, or smart-phone, a laptop, a net-book, an ultra-book, anetworked smart watch or networked sports/exercise watch, and/or atablet computing device or similar device that can include wirelesscommunication functionality. As a device supporting wirelesscommunication, mobile electronic device 100 can be utilized as, and alsobe referred to as, a system, device, subscriber unit, subscriberstation, mobile station (MS), mobile, mobile device, remote station,remote terminal, user terminal, terminal, user agent, user device, aSession Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL)station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), computer workstation, ahandheld device having wireless connection capability, a computingdevice, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem. Thesevarious devices all provide and/or include the necessary hardware andsoftware to support the various wireless or wired communicationfunctions as part of a communication system. Mobile electronic device100 can also be an over-the-air link in a communication system. Mobileelectronic device 100 can be intended to be portable, hand-held,wearable, detachable, positioned in a fixed location, or mounted to amovable vehicle. Examples of such over-the-air link communicationdevices include a wireless modem, an access point, a repeater, awirelessly-enabled kiosk or appliance, a femtocell, a small coveragearea node, and a wireless sensor, etc. Mobile electronic device 100 canhave computing functionality directed to local functionality withoutwide area communication capabilities.

Referring now to the specific component makeup and the associatedfunctionality of the presented components, mobile electronic device 100includes over-the-air (OTA) communication subsystem 104 thatcommunicates with external OTA communication system 105. Mobileelectronic device 100 provides computing and data storage functionalityin support of OTA communication with external OTA communication system105. Mobile electronic device 100 also provides other functions withhost controller 106, data storage subsystem 107, and input/output (I/O)subsystem 108 that are communicatively coupled to each other via asystem interlink 103.

OTA communication subsystem 104 includes communication module 109 thatoperates in baseband to encode data for transmission and decodesreceived data, according to a predetermined communication protocol. OTAcommunication subsystem 104 includes radio frequency (RF) front end 110having one or more modem(s) 111. Modem(s) 111 modulate baseband encodeddata from communication module 109 onto a carrier signal to provide atransmit signal that is amplified by transmitter(s) 112. Modem(s) 111demodulates the received signal from cell 113 or node 114 detected byantenna subsystem 115. The received signal is amplified and filtered byreceiver(s) 116, which demodulate received encoded data from a receivedcarrier signal. Antenna tuning circuitry 117 adjusts antenna impedanceof antenna subsystem 115. Antenna tuning circuitry 117 improves antennaefficiency at desired transmit or receive frequencies of transmitter(s)112 and receiver(s) 116, respectively, within transceiver(s) 118. In oneor more embodiments, electronic device 100 is proximate to, or on, abody generating a lossy dielectric effect for mobile electronic device100. Antenna tuning circuitry 117 is electrically coupled to antennasubsystem 115 to compensate for a lossy dielectric effect of beingproximate to a person 119. RF front end 110 can include proximitydetection component 120 that monitor for a capacitive effect on antennasubsystem 115 for limiting transmit power set by transmit powercontroller 121.

Host controller 106 controls the OTA communication subsystem 104, userinterface device 122, and other functions and/or operations of mobileelectronic device 100. These functions and/or operations include, butare not limited to including, application data processing and signalprocessing. Mobile electronic device 100 may use hardware componentequivalents for application data processing and signal processing. Forexample, mobile electronic device 100 may use special purpose hardware,dedicated processors, general purpose computers, microprocessor-basedcomputers, micro-controllers, optical computers, analog computers,dedicated processors and/or dedicated hard wired logic. As utilizedherein, the term “communicatively coupled” means that informationsignals are transmissible through various interconnections, includingwired and/or wireless links, between the components. Theinterconnections between the components can be direct interconnectionsthat include conductive transmission media or may be indirectinterconnections that include one or more intermediate electricalcomponents. Although certain direct interconnections (interlink 103) areillustrated in FIG. 1 , it is to be understood that more, fewer, ordifferent interconnections may be present in other embodiments.

In one or more embodiments, host controller 106, via OTA communicationsubsystem 104, performs multiple types of OTA communication withexternal OTA communication system 105. OTA communication subsystem 104can communicate with one or more personal access network (PAN) deviceswithin external OTA communication system 105, such as smart watch 122and wireless headset 123 that is reached via Bluetooth connection. Inone or more embodiments, OTA communication subsystem 104 communicateswith one or more locally networked devices via a wireless local areanetwork (WLAN) link provided by node 114. Node 114 is in turn connectedto wide area network 124, such as the Internet. In one or moreembodiments, OTA communication subsystem 104 communicates with globalpositioning system (GPS) satellites 125 to obtain geospatial locationinformation. In one or more embodiments, OTA communication subsystem 104communicates with radio access network (RAN) 126 having respective basestations (BSs) or cells 113. RANs 126 are a part of a wireless wide areanetwork (WWAN) that is connected to wide area network 124 and providesdata and voice services. In one or more embodiments, antenna subsystem115 includes multiple antenna elements 127 a-n that are individuallytuned to selected RF bands to support different RF communication bandsand protocols. Antenna elements 127 a-n can be used in combination formultiple input multiple output (MIMO) operation for beam steering andspatial diversity.

The techniques described herein may be used for various wirelesscommunication networks that operate according to, but not limited to,any one or more of the OMA (Open Mobile Alliance), 3GPP (3rd GenerationPartnership Project), 3GPP2 (3rd Generation Partnership Project 2), IEEE(Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.xx, and WiMAXForum standards. The terms “networks” and “systems” are often usedinterchangeably. Such communication networks can be Code DivisionMultiple Access (CDMA) networks, Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)networks, Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) networks, OrthogonalFDMA (OFDMA) networks, Single-Carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA) networks, etc. ACDMA network may implement a radio technology such as UniversalTerrestrial Radio Access (UTRA), CDMA 2000, etc. UTRA includesWideband-CDMA (W-CDMA) and time division synchronous code divisionmultiple access (TD-SCDMA). CDMA2000 covers IS-2000, IS-95 and IS-856standards. A TDMA network may implement a radio technology such asGlobal System for Mobile Communications (GSM). An OFDMA network mayimplement a radio technology such as Evolved UTRA (E-UTRA), IEEE 802.11,IEEE 802.16, IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDM, etc. UTRA, E-UTRA, and GSM arepart of Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS). Long TermEvolution (LTE) is a recent release of UMTS that uses E-UTRA. UTRA,E-UTRA, GSM, UMTS and LTE are described in documents from the 3GPPorganization. CDMA2000 is described in documents from the 3GPP2organization. These various radio technologies and standards are knownin the art. Aspects of the present innovation can further be implementedwith 5G (short for 5th Generation), which is a commonly used term forcertain advanced wireless systems. Industry association 3GPP defines anysystem using “5G NR” (5G New Radio) software as “5G”, a definition thatcame into general use by late 2018. Others may reserve the term forsystems that meet the requirements of the ITU IMT-2020, which representsmore nations. 3GPP will submit their 5G NR to the ITU. 5G follows 2G, 3Gand 4G and their respective associated technologies (such as GSM, UMTS,LTE, LTE Advanced Pro, etc.).

Host controller 106 includes processor subsystem 128, which executesprogram code to provide functionality of mobile electronic device 100.Processor subsystem 128 includes one or more central processing units(CPUs) (“data processor”) 129. In one or more embodiments, processingsubsystem 128 includes a digital signal processor (DSP) 130. Hostcontroller 106 includes system memory 131, which contains actively usedprogram code and data. In one or more embodiments, system memory 131includes therein a plurality of such program code and modules, includingapplications 132. System memory 131 can also include operating system(OS) 133, firmware interface 134 such as basic input/output system(BIOS) or Uniform Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI), and platformfirmware 135. These software and/or firmware modules have varyingfunctionality when their corresponding program code is executed byprocessor subsystem 128 or secondary processing devices within mobileelectronic device 100.

Data storage subsystem 107 provides nonvolatile storage accessible tohost controller 106. For example, data storage subsystem 107 can providea large selection of other applications 132 that can be loaded intosystem memory 131. In one or more embodiments, local data storagedevice(s) 137 includes hard disk drives (HDDs), optical disk drives,solid state drives (SSDs), etc. In one or more embodiments, removablestorage device (RSD) 138 that is received in RSD interface 139 is acomputer program product or computer readable storage device, which canbe referred to as non-transitory. RSD 138 can be accessed by hostcontroller 106 to provision mobile electronic device 100 with programcode. When executed by host controller 106, the program code providesfunctionality to mobile electronic device 100 to perform processing,communication and other tasks.

I/O subsystem 108 includes input and output devices. For example, motionsensor 140 detects accelerations of mobile electronic device 100, whichcan indicate context of use as well as intentional gestures. Ambientlight sensor 141 detects external light for adjusting brightnesssettings and for also indicating contextual information. User interfacedevice 122 presents visual or tactile outputs as well as receives userinputs. Tactile/haptic control 142 provides an interface, such as forbraille reading or manual inputs. Range finder 143 emits a waveform ofenergy, such as acoustic, infrared, radio frequency (RF), etc., whosetime of flight is used to measure distance to a reflecting object. Audiospeaker 144 provides audio output, including audio playback and alerts.Microphone 145 receives audible inputs. Ultrasonic proximity sensor 146detects proximity of an ear of a user to audio speaker 144, including inone or more embodiments recognizing audio feedback from the ear canal.Optical proximity sensor 147 detects proximity of the hand or face ofthe user to mobile electronic device 100. Image capturing device 148,such as a camera, can receive gestures and other image data. I/Osubsystem 108 can be wholly or substantially encompassed by devicehousing 149. In one or more embodiments, I/O controller 150 connects toone or more peripheral devices 151 that can include additional I/Ofunctionality. I/O controller 150 can also interface to a wired localaccess network (LAN) (not shown).

In one or more embodiments, electrical power from battery 152 powerssolid state switch (SSS) monitoring system 101 when other subsystemssuch as host controller 106 and OTA communication subsystem 104 may beinactive to conserve power. SSS sensing component 153 monitors power andvolume keys 102 a, 102 b for actuation. Supervisory controller 154monitors SSS sensing component 153 and can detect when SSS sensingcomponent 153 becomes inoperative. Supervisory controller 154 restartsSSS sensing component 153 to return SSS sensing component 153 tooperation.

FIG. 2 depicts example electronic device 200 having solid state switch(SSS) monitoring system 202 that ensures reliable activation from lowpower operation. Electronic device 200 may be a laptop computer, tabletcomputer, personal computer, computer work station, embedded automobilecomputing systems, or mobile communication devices such as mobileelectronic device 100 (FIG. 1 ). One or both of battery 204 andelectrical outlet 206 provide electrical power to SSS monitoring system202 and functional components such as processor 208 of electronic device200. SSS monitoring system 202 includes SSS sensing component 210 thatis electrically coupled to the solid state switch 212. SSS sensingcomponent 210 periodically generates clocked pulse 211 that polls solidstate switch 212. SSS sensing component 210 determines whether anelectrical characteristic of output 214 of solid state switch 212indicates that solid state switch 212 is actuated. SSS sensing component210 generates switch state signal 216 to indicate a corresponding oneof: (i) an actuated; and (ii) an unactuated state of solid state switch212. For example, a functional component such as processor 208 canrespond to a state of switch state signal 216. For example, an inactiveprocessor 208 activates in response to receiving switch state signal 216indicating the actuated state. Supervisory controller (“controller”) 218monitors SSS sensing component 210 for becoming inoperative. Controller218 restarts SSS sensing component 210 when SSS sensing component 210 isdetected as inoperative.

In one or more embodiments, SSS sensing component 210 detects a state ofsolid state switch 212, which can be inductive, resistive, or inductive.In one or more embodiments, solid state switch 212 uses only 2 In one ormore embodiments, SSS sensing component 210 triggers voltage regulator213 to send a high frequency pulse at programmable duty cycles to pollinductive solid state switch 212 based on duty-cycle clock 214. Forexample, a 1 ms pulse containing high signal frequencies can be followedby an off cycle of 12 ms to 1700 ms. The duration of the on-cycle can bebased on having sufficient time for SSS monitoring system 202 to measureoutput 215 of solid state switch 212. The duration of the off-cycle canbe made depending on a design selection that is a tradeoff between powerconsumption and detection latency by SSS monitoring system 202. Thepulse passes through inductor coil 220, which changes electricalproperties when ferrous material target 222, such as a printed circuiton a flexible substrate, is manipulated in close proximity to inductorcoil 220. A change in the frequency of the pulse contained in output 215is detected by SSS sensing component 210 as a key event.

In one or more embodiments, SSS sensing component 210 is DC isolatedfrom controller 218 by series coupling capacitor 224. Controller 218 haspeak detector 226 including analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 228 thatlatches to the peak voltage of output 215 of solid state sensor 212 todetect clocked pulse 211 from SSS sensing system 210. If clocked pulse211 is detected within the defined timeframe, a “TRUE” logic value isset and timer 230 is reset. If clocked pulse 211 is not detected withinthe defined timeframe based on timer 230, a “FALSE” logic value is set.In one or more embodiments, the defined timeframe is 5 s, althoughshorter or longer defined timeframes may be used. SSS sensing component210. The reset of LDO regulator 232 causes SSS sensing component 210 torestart, clearing a latched or other error condition that led to aninoperative state.

FIG. 3 depicts method 300 for sensing an actuation state of a solidstate switch 212 (FIG. 2 ) by electronic device 200 (FIG. 2 ). Method300 includes, in decision block 302, determining, by solid state switch(SSS) sensing component 210 (FIG. 2 ), whether a power up event hasoccurred to the SSS sensing component. Although not depicted, SSSsensing component 210 (FIG. 2 ) is not capable of making this determinebefore actually being powered up. SSS sensing component is determiningwhether SSS sensing component is in an uninitialized state followingpower up. In response to determining that a power up event has occurred,SSS sensing component performs initialization, which clears any latchedor error state (block 304). In response to determining that a power upevent has not occurred in decision block 302 or after performinginitialization in block 304, SSS sensing component periodically polls asolid state switch of an electronic device with a clocked pulse (block306). Method 300 includes, in decision block 308, determining, by theSSS sensing component, whether an electrical characteristic of an outputof the solid state switch indicates that the solid state switch isactuated. In response to determining that the solid state switch isactuated, method 300 includes generating a switch state signal thatindicates an actuated state of the solid state switch (block 310). Inresponse to determining that the solid state switch is not actuated,method 300 includes generating a switch state signal that indicates anunactuated state of the solid state switch (block 312). After generatingthe corresponding switch state signal in either block 310 or block 312,method 300 includes enabling functional components to respond to thecorresponding actuated or unactuated state of the solid state switch(block 314). Then method 300 returns to block 302.

FIG. 4 depicts method 400 for monitoring for and correcting aninoperative state of the SSS sensing component 210 (FIG. 2 ) to restoreoperation of the solid state switch 212 (FIG. 2 ). Method 400 includesreceiving, by controller 218 (FIG. 2 ), the output of the solid stateswitch for monitoring of clocked pulses, whose absence is indicative ofan inoperative state of the SSS sensing component that generates theclocked pulses (block 402). Method 400 includes, in decision block 404,determining, by the controller, whether a predefined timeframe haselapsed based on a timer. In response to determining that the predefinedtimeframe has not elapsed, method 400 includes detecting a peak voltageof the output of the solid state switch using an analog-to-digitalconverter of the controller (block 406). The controller compares thepeak voltage to a threshold value (block 408). A determination is madein decision block 410 whether the peak voltage is greater than thethreshold value. In response to detecting that the peak voltage isgreater than the threshold value, method 400 includes resetting thetimer (block 412). Then method 400 returns to block 402. In response todetecting that the peak voltage is not greater than the threshold value,method 400 returns to block 402. In response to determining that thepredefined timeframe has elapsed, at decision block 404, method 400includes interrupting a power supply, to the SSS sensing component for aperiod of time sufficient to shut down and restart the SSS sensingcomponent that clears any latched or error condition (block 414). Method416 includes delaying monitoring for a period of time sufficient for theSSS sensing component to restart (block 416). Method 400 returns toblock 402.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of distributed method 500 that includes method500 a of sensing actuation of a solid state switch by SSS sensingcomponent 210. Method 500 also includes method 500 b of mitigating aninoperative state of SSS sensing component 210 by supervisory controller218. Distributed method 500 enables supervisory controller 218 todetermine whether SSS sensing component 210 is inoperative based upon asignal generated by SSS sensing component 210. Supervisory controller218 avoids having to generate a testing signal to determine whether SSSsensing component 210 is inoperative. Method 500 a includes performing apower on procedure by SSS sensing component (block 502). SSS sensingcomponent sets supply voltage level V_(DD) for voltage regulator (block504). Method 500 a includes issuing an on-cycle power pulse from thevoltage regulator to the solid state switch (block 506), which at line508 enables supervisory controller 218 to begin method 500 b that isexecuted in parallel to method 500 a.

Method 500 b includes receiving an output from the solid state switch(block 510). In one or more embodiments, the on-cycle power pulse causesan electromagnetic signal to pass through a sensor of the solid stateswitch that is affected by changes in proximity of a conductive targetthat is moved by actuation. The affect may be capacitive, inductive orresistive. Based on the received output, SSS sensing componentdetermines an actuated or unactuated state of the solid state switch(block 512). Method 500 a includes generating a switch signal indicatedthe state that is determined (block 514). SSS sensing component waitsfor an off-cycle interval to reduce power consumption by the solid stateswitch (block 516). Then method 500 a under normal operation returns toblock 506. However, SSS sensing component can become inoperative, asindicated in a dashed line to an inoperative state with no output (block518).

With continued reference to method 500 b, controller detects the firston-cycle power pulse (block 520). Controller begins active monitoringfor an inoperative state once operation of SSS sensing component isenabled by the first power pulse. Method 500 b includes setting a timerblock 522). The duration can be significantly longer than a duty cycleof the SSS sensing component such that a duration of time elapsed, orexpiration of a timer, is associated with an inoperative SSS sensingcomponent. A determination, in decision block 524, is made whether thetimer has expired. In response to determining that the timer has notexpired, a determination is made in decision block 526 whether the nextpulse is detected. In response to determining that the next pulse is notdetected, method 500 b returns to decision block 524. In response todetermining that the next pulse is detected, method 500 b returns toblock 522. When SSS sensing component is inoperative (block 518), timewill continue to elapse until the timer expires. In response todetermining that the timer has expired in decision block 524, method 500b includes restarting the SSS sensor component by the controller (block528). Method 500 b returns to block 520 to await being enabled tomonitor for another inoperative state when the first pulse from SSSsensing component is detected. SSS sensing component is in a powereddown state in response to the restart. Method 500 a begins anew at block502 when power is restored to SSS sensing component.

In each of the above flow charts presented herein, certain steps of themethods can be combined, performed simultaneously or in a differentorder, or perhaps omitted, without deviating from the spirit and scopeof the described innovation. While the method steps are described andillustrated in a particular sequence, use of a specific sequence ofsteps is not meant to imply any limitations on the innovation. Changesmay be made with regards to the sequence of steps without departing fromthe spirit or scope of the present innovation. Use of a particularsequence is therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and thescope of the present innovation is defined only by the appended claims.

Aspects of the present innovation are described above with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of theinnovation. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions maybe provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, embodiments of thepresent innovation may be embodied as a system, device, and/or method.Accordingly, embodiments of the present innovation may take the form ofan entirely hardware embodiment or an embodiment combining software andhardware embodiments that may all generally be referred to herein as a“circuit,” “module” or “system.”

While the innovation has been described with reference to exemplaryembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made, and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope of the innovation. Inaddition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular system,device or component thereof to the teachings of the innovation withoutdeparting from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intendedthat the innovation not be limited to the particular embodimentsdisclosed for carrying out this innovation, but that the innovation willinclude all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote anyorder or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are usedto distinguish one element from another.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the innovation.As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprise”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present innovation has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the innovation in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the innovation. Theembodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the innovation and the practical application, and toenable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the innovationfor various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A solid state switch (SSS) monitoring systemcomprising: a solid state switch; a SSS sensing component electricallycoupled to the solid state switch, and that generates a signal thatindicates a corresponding one of an actuated and an unactuated state ofthe solid state switch; and a controller communicatively coupled to theSSS sensing component and that restarts the SSS sensing component inresponse to determining that the SSS sensing component is in aninoperative state due to a fault that prevents the SSS sensing componentfrom polling the solid state switch.
 2. The SSS monitoring system ofclaim 1, wherein the controller: detects whether the SSS sensingcomponent has polled the solid state switch within a predefinedtimeframe; and in response to determining that the SSS sensing componenthas not polled the solid state switch within the predefined timeframe,determines that the SSS sensing component is in the inoperative state.3. The SSS monitoring system of claim 1, further comprising a voltageregulator communicatively coupled to the controller, and wherein thecontroller restarts the SSS sensing component by triggering the voltageregulator to interrupt a power supply to the SSS sensing component. 4.The SSS monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the solid state switch isa selected one of: (i) a capacitive switch; (ii) a resistive switch;(iii) an inductive switch; and (iv) a piezoresistive switch.
 5. The SSSmonitoring system of claim 1, wherein: the SSS sensing componentcomprises: a clock that generates the clocked pulse; and a sensor thatmeasures an electrical characteristic of the output of the solid stateswitch; and the controller comprises: an analog-to-digital converterthat latches to a peak voltage of the output of the solid state switchto detect the clocked pulse from the SSS sensing component; and a timerthat is reset based on detection of a peak voltage that exceeds athreshold.
 6. The SSS monitoring system of claim 1, wherein: the solidstate switch is a power switch; and the SSS sensing component generatesa switch state signal indicating the actuated state that triggersactivation of a microprocessor of an electronic device.
 7. An electronicdevice comprising: a solid state switch (SSS) monitoring systemcomprising: a solid state switch; a SSS sensing component electricallycoupled to the solid state switch, and that generates a signal thatindicates a corresponding one of an actuated and an unactuated state ofthe solid state switch; and a controller communicatively coupled to theSSS sensing component and that restarts the SSS sensing component inresponse to determining that the SSS sensing component is in aninoperative state due to a fault that prevents the SSS sensing componentfrom polling the solid state switch.
 8. The electronic device of claim7, wherein the controller: detects whether the SSS sensing component haspolled the solid state switch within a predefined timeframe; and inresponse to determining that the SSS sensing component has not polledthe solid state switch within the predefined timeframe, determines thatthe SSS sensing component is in the inoperative state.
 9. The electronicdevice of claim 7, further comprising a voltage regulatorcommunicatively coupled to the controller, and wherein the controllerrestarts the SSS sensing component by triggering the voltage regulatorto interrupt a power supply to the SSS sensing component.
 10. Theelectronic device of claim 7, wherein the solid state switch is aselected one of: (i) a capacitive switch; (ii) a resistive switch; (iii)an inductive switch; and (iv) a piezoresistive switch.
 11. Theelectronic device of claim 7, wherein: the SSS sensing componentcomprises: a clock that generates the clocked pulse; and a sensor thatmeasures an electrical characteristic of the output of the solid stateswitch; and the controller comprises: an analog-to-digital converterthat latches to a peak voltage of the output of the solid state switchto detect the clocked pulse from the SSS sensing component; and a timerthat is reset based on detection of a peak voltage that exceeds athreshold.
 12. The electronic device of claim 7, further comprising amicroprocessor communicatively coupled to the solid state switch andthat is activated in response to receiving a switch state signalindicating the actuated state.
 13. A method comprising: periodicallypolling a solid state switch with a clocked pulse by a solid stateswitch (SSS) sensing component; generating, by the SSS sensingcomponent, a signal that indicates a corresponding one of an actuatedand an unactuated state of the solid state switch; and determining, by acontroller, whether the SSS sensing component is in an inoperative statedue to a fault that prevents the SSS sensing component from polling thesolid state switch; and restarting the SSS sensing component, by thecontroller, in response to determining that the SSS sensing component isin the inoperative state.
 14. The method of claim 13, whereindetermining whether the SSS sensing component is in the inoperativestate comprises detecting, by the controller, whether the SSS sensingcomponent has polled the solid state switch within a predefinedtimeframe.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein detecting whether the SSSsensing component has polled the solid state switch within thepredefined timeframe comprises: determining, based on a timer, whetherthe predefined timeframe has elapsed; in response to determining thatthe predefined timeframe has not elapsed: detecting a peak voltage ofthe output of the solid state switch using an analog-to-digitalconverter of the controller; comparing the peak voltage to a thresholdvalue; and in response to detecting that the peak voltage is greaterthan the threshold value, resetting the timer.
 16. The method of claim15, further comprising: determining that the SSS sensing component is inthe inoperative state in response to determining that the predefinedtimeframe has elapsed; and restarting the SSS sensing component by:interrupting, by the controller, a power supply to the SSS sensingcomponent to shut down the SSS sensing component.
 17. The method ofclaim 13, wherein the solid state switch is a selected one of: (i) acapacitive switch; (ii) a resistive switch; (iii) an inductive switch;and (iv) a piezoresistive switch.
 18. The method of claim 13, furthercomprising triggering activation of a microprocessor of an electronicdevice in response to generating a switch state signal indicating theactuated state.